Battery module and battery cell

ABSTRACT

A battery module having first and second battery cells is provided. The first battery cell has a housing and first and second electrical terminals. The housing extends longitudinally along a first axis and vertically along a second axis. The housing has first, second, third and fourth ends. The first and second ends extend parallel to the first axis. The third and fourth ends extend parallel to the second axis. The first electrical terminal extends from the third end in a direction parallel to the first axis, and has first and second edges extending parallel to the first axis. The first edge is disposed closer to the first end than the second edge of the first electrical terminal. A distance from the second end of the housing to the second edge of the first electrical terminal is greater than a distance from the first end of the housing to the first edge of the first electrical terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/882,772 filed on Sep. 26, 2013, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

New materials for battery cells which may result in a high energydensity and a relatively low cost have been investigated and studied forseveral years. However, the chemistry of the battery cell has not beenchanged greatly for over 20 years. Although some materials such aslayer-layer Li-rich materials having Li₂MnO₃ structure or Si basedmaterials may be able to increase energy density, they will be not becommercially available for several years. The inventors herein haverecognized that a battery module energy density can be increased at arelatively low cost if the battery module space is decreased asdescribed herein, in order to increase an electric vehicle range.

In particular, the inventors herein have recognized a need for a batterymodule and battery cell that have an improved placement of electricalterminals thereon that allows for an improved placement of electricaldevices such as interconnect boards and wire harnesses thereon tomaximize a battery system energy density by decreasing the unusablespace of the battery system. A high energy density battery module can beobtained by utilizing the battery cell and the battery module describedherein.

SUMMARY

A battery cell in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided.The battery cell includes a substantially rectangular-shaped housing andfirst and second electrical terminals. The housing extendslongitudinally along a first axis and vertically along a second axis.The second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. Thehousing has first, second, third and fourth ends. The first and secondends extend substantially parallel to the first axis. The third andfourth ends extend substantially parallel to the second axis. A combinedlength of the housing and the first and second electrical terminals in adirection parallel to the first axis is at least two times larger than alength of the housing in a direction parallel to the second axis. Thefirst electrical terminal extends outwardly from the third end of thehousing in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis. Thefirst electrical terminal has first and second edges extendingsubstantially parallel to the first axis. The first edge of the firstelectrical terminal is disposed closer to the first end of the housingthan the second edge of the first electrical terminal. The first edge ofthe first electrical terminal is not collinear with the first end of thehousing. A distance from the second end of the housing to the secondedge of the first electrical terminal is greater than a distance fromthe first end of the housing to the first edge of the first electricalterminal. The second electrical terminal extends outwardly from thefourth end of the housing in a direction substantially parallel to thefirst axis. The second electrical terminal has first and second edgesextending substantially parallel to the first axis. The second edge ofthe second electrical terminal is disposed closer to the second end ofthe housing than the first edge of the second electrical terminal. Thesecond edge of the second electrical terminal is not collinear with thesecond end of the housing. A distance from the first end of the housingto the first edge of the second electrical terminal is greater than adistance from the second end of the housing to the second edge of thesecond electrical terminal.

A battery module in accordance with another exemplary embodiment isprovided. The battery module includes a frame member having first andsecond sides. The battery module further includes first and secondbattery cells disposed on the first and second sides, respectively ofthe frame member. The first battery cell has a first housing and firstand second electrical terminals. The first housing is substantiallyrectangular-shaped and extends longitudinally along a first axis andvertically along a second axis. The second axis is substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis. The first housing has first, second,third and fourth ends. The first and second ends of the first housingextend substantially parallel to the first axis. The third and fourthends of the first housing extend substantially parallel to the secondaxis. A combined length of the first housing and the first and secondelectrical terminals in a direction parallel to the first axis is atleast two times larger than a length of the first housing in a directionparallel to the second axis. The first electrical terminal extendsoutwardly from the third end of the first housing in a directionsubstantially parallel to the first axis. The first electrical terminalhas first and second edges extending substantially parallel to the firstaxis. The first edge of the first electrical terminal is disposed closerto the first end of the first housing than the second edge of the firstelectrical terminal. The first edge of the first electrical terminal isnot collinear with the first end of the first housing. A distance fromthe second end of the first housing to the second edge of the firstelectrical terminal is greater than a distance from the first end of thefirst housing to the first edge of the first electrical terminal. Thesecond electrical terminal extends outwardly from the fourth end of thefirst housing in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis.The second electrical terminal has first and second edges extendingsubstantially parallel to the first axis. The second edge of the secondelectrical terminal is disposed closer to the second end of the firsthousing than the first edge of the second electrical terminal. Thesecond edge of the second electrical terminal is not collinear with thesecond end of the first housing. A distance from the first end of thefirst housing to the first edge of the second electrical terminal isgreater than a distance from the second end of the first housing to thesecond edge of the second electrical terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a battery module in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic of the battery module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the battery module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another side view of the battery module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a first battery cell utilized in the batterymodule of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a more detailed view of the battery cell of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second battery cell utilized in the batterymodule of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a battery module 10 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment is illustrated. An advantage of the battery module10 is that the battery module 10 has an improved placement of electricalterminals such that the battery module has open regions 110, 120 forreceiving interconnect boards 100, 102 therein. Thus, the battery module10 has an improved structural configuration that is more easily placedwithin an electric vehicle. The battery module 10 includes frame members20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, battery cells 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60,62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, and interconnect boards 100,102.

The frame members 20-34 are configured to hold the battery cellstherein. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame members 20-34 areconstructed of plastic.

Referring to FIG. 2, the frame member 20 includes a plate portion 150and flange portions 152, 154. The flange portions 152, 154 are coupledto first and second ends, respectively, of the plate portion 150 andextend substantially perpendicular to the plate portion 150. The framemember 20 includes a side 156 and a side 158 that is disposed oppositeto the side 156. The battery cell 50 is disposed on the side 156 of theframe member 20, and the battery cell 52 is disposed on the side 158 ofthe frame member 20.

The frame member 22 includes a plate portion 170 and flange portions172, 174. The flange portions 172, 174 are coupled to first and secondends, respectively, of the plate portion 170 and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plate portion 170. The frame member 22 includes aside 176 and a side 178 that is disposed opposite to the side 176. Thebattery cell 54 is disposed on the side 176 of the frame member 22 andadjacent to the battery cell 52, and the battery cell 56 is disposed onthe side 178 of the frame member 22. The frame member 22 is coupled toboth the frame member 20 and the frame member 24.

The frame member 24 includes a plate portion 190 and flange portions192, 194. The flange portions 192, 194 are coupled to first and secondends, respectively, of the plate portion 190 and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plate portion 190. The frame member 24 includes aside 196 and a side 198 that is disposed opposite to the side 196. Thebattery cell 58 is disposed on the side 196 of the frame member 24 andadjacent to the battery cell 56, and the battery cell 60 is disposed onthe side 198 of the frame member 24. The frame member 24 is coupled toboth the frame member 22 and the frame member 26.

The frame member 26 includes a plate portion 210 and flange portions212, 214. The flange portions 212, 214 are coupled to first and secondends, respectively, of the plate portion 210 and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plate portion 210. The frame member 26 includes aside 216 and a side 218 that is disposed opposite to the side 216. Thebattery cell 62 is disposed on the side 216 of the frame member 26 andadjacent to the battery cell 60, and the battery cell 64 is disposed onthe side 218 of the frame member 26. The frame member 26 is coupled toboth the frame member 24 and the frame member 28.

The frame member 28 includes a plate portion 230 and flange portions232, 234. The flange portions 232, 234 are coupled to first and secondends, respectively, of the plate portion 230 and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plate portion 230. The frame member 28 includes aside 236 and a side 238 that is disposed opposite to the side 236. Thebattery cell 66 is disposed on the side 236 of the frame member 28 andadjacent to the battery cell 64, and the battery cell 68 is disposed onthe side 238 of the frame member 28. The frame member 28 is coupled toboth the frame member 26 and the frame member 30.

The frame member 30 includes a plate portion 250 and flange portions252, 254. The flange portions 252, 254 are coupled to first and secondends, respectively, of the plate portion 250 and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plate portion 250. The frame member 30 includes aside 256 and a side 258 that is disposed opposite to the side 256. Thebattery cell 70 is disposed on the side 256 of the frame member 30 andadjacent to the battery cell 68, and the battery cell 72 is disposed onthe side 258 of the frame member 30. The frame member 30 is coupled toboth the frame member 28 and the frame member 32.

The frame member 32 includes a plate portion 270 and flange portions272, 274. The flange portions 272, 274 are coupled to first and secondends, respectively, of the plate portion 270 and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plate portion 270. The frame member 32 includes aside 276 and a side 278 that is disposed opposite to the side 276. Thebattery cell 74 is disposed on the side 276 of the frame member 32 andadjacent to the battery cell 72, and the battery cell 76 is disposed onthe side 278 of the frame member 32. The frame member 32 is coupled toboth the frame member 30 and the frame member 34.

The frame member 34 includes a plate portion 290 and flange portions292, 294. The flange portions 292, 294 are coupled to first and secondends, respectively, of the plate portion 290 and extend substantiallyperpendicular to the plate portion 290. The frame member 34 includes aside 296 and a side 298 that is disposed opposite to the side 296. Thebattery cell 78 is disposed on the side 296 of the frame member 34 andadjacent to the battery cell 76, and the battery cell 80 is disposed onthe side 298 of the frame member 34. The frame member 34 is coupled tothe frame member 32.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the battery cells 50-80 are configuredto generate operational voltages. In one exemplary embodiment, thebattery cells 50-80 are electrically coupled in series utilizing theinterconnect boards 100, 102. Since each of the battery cells 50-80 havean identical structure, only the battery cells 62, 64 will be describedin detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery cell 64 is illustrated. Thebattery cell 64 includes a housing 400 and first and second electricalterminals 404, 406. The housing 400 is configured to hold an activematerial therein that is configured to generate an operational voltageon the first and second electrical terminals 404, 406. In one exemplaryembodiment, the housing 400 is constructed of plastic and is asubstantially rectangular-shaped pouch-type housing. The housing 400extends longitudinally along a first axis 410 and vertically along asecond axis 412. The second axis 412 is substantially perpendicular tothe first axis 410. The housing 400 has a central body portion 420, aflange portion 422, a first end 431, a second end 432, a third end 433,and a fourth end 434. In one exemplary embodiment, the central bodyportion 420 holds a lithium-ion active material therein that isconfigured to generate a voltage between the first and second electricalterminals 404, 406. Also, the central body portion 420 is asubstantially rectangular-shaped central body portion, and the flangeportion 422 extends around a periphery of the substantiallyrectangular-shaped central body portion. The first and second ends 431,432 extend substantially parallel to the first axis 410. The third andfourth ends 433, 434 extend substantially parallel to the second axis412. A combined length (e.g., length B1) of the housing 400 and theelectrical terminals 404, 406 in a direction parallel to the first axis410 is at least two times larger than a length (e.g., a length A1) ofthe housing 400 in a direction parallel to the second axis 412.

The first electrical terminal 404 extends outwardly from the third end433 of the housing 400 in a direction substantially parallel to thefirst axis 410. The first electrical terminal 404 has first and secondedges 451, 452 extending substantially parallel to the first axis 410.The first edge 451 of the first electrical terminal 404 is disposedcloser to the first end 431 of the housing 400 than the second edge 452of the first electrical terminal 404. In an exemplary embodiment, thefirst edge 451 of the first electrical terminal 404 is not collinearwith the first end 431 of the housing 400.

A distance (e.g., a distance C1) from the second end 432 of the housing400 to the second edge 452 of the first electrical terminal 404 isgreater than a distance (e.g., a distance D1) from the first end 431 ofthe housing 400 to the first edge 451 of the first electrical terminal404. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the distance from thesecond end 452 of the housing 400 to the second edge 452 of the firstelectrical terminal 404 is at least two times greater than the distancefrom the first end 431 of the housing 400 to the first edge 451 of thefirst electrical terminal 404.

The second electrical terminal 406 extends outwardly from the fourth end434 of the housing 400 in a direction substantially parallel to thefirst axis 410. The second electrical terminal 406 has first and secondedges 461, 462 extending substantially parallel to the first axis 410.The second edge 462 of the second electrical terminal 406 is disposedcloser to the second end 432 of the housing 400 than the first edge 461of the second electrical terminal 406. In an exemplary embodiment, thesecond edge 462 of the second electrical terminal 406 is not collinearwith the second end 432 of the housing 400.

A distance (e.g., a distance D2) from the first end 431 of the housing400 to the first edge 461 of the second electrical terminal 406 isgreater than a distance (e.g., a distance C2) from the second end 432 ofthe housing 400 to the second edge 462 of the second electrical terminal406. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the distance from thefirst end 431 of the housing 400 to the first edge 461 of the secondelectrical terminal 406 is at least two times greater than the distancefrom the second end 432 of the housing 400 to the second edge 462 of thesecond electrical terminal 406.

Referring to FIG. 7, the battery cell 62 is illustrated. The batterycell 62 includes a housing 500 and first and second electrical terminals504, 506. The housing 500 is configured to hold an active materialtherein that is configured to generate an operational voltage on thefirst and second electrical terminals 504, 506. In one exemplaryembodiment, the housing 500 is constructed of plastic and is asubstantially rectangular-shaped pouch-type housing. The housing 500extends longitudinally along a first axis 510 and vertically along asecond axis 512. The second axis 512 is substantially perpendicular tothe first axis 510. The housing 500 has a first end 531, a second end532, a third end 533, and a fourth end 534. The first and second ends531, 532 extend substantially parallel to the first axis 510. The thirdand fourth ends 533, 534 extend substantially parallel to the secondaxis 512. A combined length (e.g., length B3) of the housing 500 and theelectrical terminals 504, 506 in a direction parallel to the first axis510 is at least two times larger than a length (e.g., a length A3) ofthe housing 500 in a direction parallel to the second axis 512.

The first electrical terminal 504 extends outwardly from the third end533 of the housing 500 in a direction substantially parallel to thefirst axis 510. The first electrical terminal 504 has first and secondedges 551, 552 extending substantially parallel to the first axis 510.The first edge 551 of the first electrical terminal 504 is disposedcloser to the first end 531 of the housing 500 than the second edge 552of the first electrical terminal 504. In an exemplary embodiment, thefirst edge 551 of the first electrical terminal 504 is not collinearwith the first end 531 of the housing 500.

A distance (e.g., a distance C3) from the second end 532 of the housing500 to the second edge 552 of the first electrical terminal 504 isgreater than a distance (e.g., a distance D3) from the first end 531 ofthe housing 500 to the first edge 551 of the first electrical terminal504. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the distance from thesecond end 532 of the housing 500 to the second edge 552 of the firstelectrical terminal 504 is at least two times greater than the distancefrom the first end 531 of the housing 500 to the first edge 551 of thefirst electrical terminal 504.

The second electrical terminal 506 extends outwardly from the fourth end534 of the housing 500 in a direction substantially parallel to thefirst axis 510. The second electrical terminal 506 has first and secondedges 561, 562 extending substantially parallel to the first axis 510.The second edge 562 of the second electrical terminal 506 is disposedcloser to the second end 532 of the housing 500 than the first edge 561of the second electrical terminal 506. In an exemplary embodiment, thesecond edge 562 of the second electrical terminal 506 is not collinearwith the second end 532 of the housing 500.

A distance (e.g., a distance D4) from the first end 531 of the housing500 to the first edge 561 of the second electrical terminal 506 isgreater than a distance (e.g., a distance C4) from the second end 532 ofthe housing 500 to the second edge 562 of the second electrical terminal506. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the distance from thefirst end 531 of the housing 500 to the first edge 561 of the secondelectrical terminal 506 is at least two times greater than the distancefrom the second end 532 of the housing 500 to the second edge 562 of thesecond electrical terminal 406.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5-7, the second edges (e.g., top edges) of thefirst electrical terminals of the battery cells 50-80 are disposedco-planar with one another such that the first open region 110 is formedbetween a plane 497 (shown in FIG. 5) extending through the second edgesof the first electrical terminals and a plane 499 (shown in FIG. 5)extending through the second ends (e.g., top ends) of the battery cells50-80. For example, the second edge 452 of the first electrical terminal404 of the battery cell 64 is disposed co-planar with the second edge552 of the first electrical terminal 504 of the battery cell 62, suchthat the first open region 110 is formed between the plane 497 (shown inFIG. 5) extending through the second edges of the electrical terminals404, 504 and the plane 499 (shown in FIG. 5) extending through thesecond ends of the battery cells 64, 62.

Further, the first edges (e.g., bottom edges) of the second electricalterminals of the battery cells 50-80 are disposed co-planar with oneanother such that the second open region 120 is formed between a plane599 (shown in FIG. 7) extending through the first edges of the secondelectrical terminals and a plane 601 (shown in FIG. 7) extending throughthe first ends (e.g., bottom ends) of the battery cells 50-80. Forexample, the first edge 461 of the second electrical terminal 406 of thebattery cell 64 is disposed co-planar with the first edge 561 of thesecond electrical terminal 506 of the battery cell 62, such that thesecond open region 120 is formed between the plane 599 (shown in FIG. 7)extending through the first edges of the electrical terminals 406, 506and the plane 601 (shown in FIG. 7) extending through the first ends ofthe battery cells 50-80.

The interconnect board 100 is coupled to the frame members in the firstopen region 110 and electrically couple the battery cells 50-80 to oneanother. In one exemplary embodiment, the interconnect board 100electrically couples the battery cells 50-80 in series with one another.In another exemplary embodiment, the interconnect board 100 electricallycouples the battery cells 50-80 in parallel with one another. Further,the interconnect board 100 may include a microprocessor which monitorsoperational parameters of the battery cells 50-80.

The interconnect board 102 is coupled to the frame members in the secondopen region 120 and electrically couple the battery cells 50-80 to oneanother. In one exemplary embodiment, the interconnect board 102electrically couples the battery cells 50-80 in series with one another.In another exemplary embodiment, the interconnect board 102 electricallycouples the battery cells 50-80 in parallel with one another. Further,the interconnect board 102 may include a microprocessor which monitorsoperational parameters of the battery cells 50-80.

The battery module and battery cell described herein provide asubstantial advantage over other battery modules and battery cells. Inparticular, the battery module provides a technical effect of utilizingfirst and second electrical terminals disposed both proximate to firstand second edges, respectively, of the battery cell and on opposite endsof the battery cell such that electrical components can be readilyplaced on the battery module, such that the battery module can be moreeasily placed within an electric vehicle.

While the claimed invention has been described in detail in connectionwith only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readilyunderstood that the invention is not limited to such disclosedembodiments. Rather, the claimed invention can be modified toincorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions orequivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which arecommensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally,while various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described,it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include onlysome of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the claimed invention isnot to be seen as limited by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery cell, comprising: a substantiallyrectangular-shaped housing and first and second electrical terminals,the housing extending longitudinally along a first axis and verticallyalong a second axis; the second axis being substantially perpendicularto the first axis, the housing having first, second, third and fourthends, the first and second ends extending substantially parallel to thefirst axis, the third and fourth ends extending substantially parallelto the second axis; a combined length of the housing and the first andsecond electrical terminals in a direction parallel to the first axisbeing at least two times larger than a length of the housing in adirection parallel to the second axis; the first electrical terminalextending outwardly from the third end of the housing in a directionsubstantially parallel to the first axis, the first electrical terminalhaving first and second edges extending substantially parallel to thefirst axis, the first edge of the first electrical terminal beingdisposed closer to the first end of the housing than the second edge ofthe first electrical terminal, the first edge of the first electricalterminal not being collinear with the first end of the housing; adistance from the second end of the housing to the second edge of thefirst electrical terminal is greater than a distance from the first endof the housing to the first edge of the first electrical terminal; thesecond electrical terminal extending outwardly from the fourth end ofthe housing in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis, thesecond electrical terminal having first and second edges extendingsubstantially parallel to the first axis, the second edge of the secondelectrical terminal being disposed closer to the second end of thehousing than the first edge of the second electrical terminal, thesecond edge of the second electrical terminal not being collinear withthe second end of the housing; and a distance from the first end of thehousing to the first edge of the second electrical terminal is greaterthan a distance from the second end of the housing to the second edge ofthe second electrical terminal.
 2. The battery cell of claim 1, whereinthe substantially rectangular-shaped housing comprises a substantiallyrectangular-shaped pouch-type housing.
 3. The battery cell of claim 1,wherein the substantially rectangular-shaped housing comprises asubstantially rectangular-shaped central body portion, and a flangeportion that extends around a periphery of the substantiallyrectangular-shaped central body portion.
 4. The battery cell of claim 1,wherein the distance from the second end of the housing to the secondedge of the first electrical terminal is at least two times greater thanthe distance from the first end of the housing to the first edge of thefirst electrical terminal.
 5. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein thedistance from the first end of the housing to the first edge of thesecond electrical terminal is at least two times greater than thedistance from the second end of the housing to the second edge of thesecond electrical terminal.
 6. A battery module, comprising: a framemember having first and second sides; first and second battery cellsdisposed on the first and second sides, respectively of the framemember; the first battery cell having a first housing and first andsecond electrical terminals, the first housing being substantiallyrectangular-shaped and extending longitudinally along a first axis andvertically along a second axis; the second axis being substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis, the first housing having first, second,third and fourth ends, the first and second ends of the first housingextending substantially parallel to the first axis, the third and fourthends of the first housing extending substantially parallel to the secondaxis; a combined length of the first housing and the first and secondelectrical terminals in a direction parallel to the first axis being atleast two times larger than a length of the first housing in a directionparallel to the second axis; the first electrical terminal extendingoutwardly from the third end of the first housing in a directionsubstantially parallel to the first axis, the first electrical terminalhaving first and second edges extending substantially parallel to thefirst axis, the first edge of the first electrical terminal beingdisposed closer to the first end of the first housing than the secondedge of the first electrical terminal, the first edge of the firstelectrical terminal not being collinear with the first end of the firsthousing; a distance from the second end of the first housing to thesecond edge of the first electrical terminal is greater than a distancefrom the first end of the first housing to the first edge of the firstelectrical terminal; the second electrical terminal extending outwardlyfrom the fourth end of the first housing in a direction substantiallyparallel to the first axis, the second electrical terminal having firstand second edges extending substantially parallel to the first axis, thesecond edge of the second electrical terminal being disposed closer tothe second end of the first housing than the first edge of the secondelectrical terminal, the second edge of the second electrical terminalnot being collinear with the second end of the first housing; and adistance from the first end of the first housing to the first edge ofthe second electrical terminal is greater than a distance from thesecond end of the first housing to the second edge of the secondelectrical terminal.
 7. The battery cell of claim 6, wherein the firsthousing comprises a substantially rectangular-shaped pouch-type housing.8. The battery cell of claim 6, wherein the first housing comprises asubstantially rectangular-shaped central body portion, and a flangeportion that extends around a periphery of the substantiallyrectangular-shaped central body portion.
 9. The battery module of claim6, wherein: the second battery cell having a second housing and thirdand fourth electrical terminals, the second housing being substantiallyrectangular-shaped and extending longitudinally along a third axis andvertically along a fourth axis; the fourth axis being substantiallyperpendicular to the third axis, the second housing having first,second, third and fourth ends, the first and second ends of the secondhousing extending substantially parallel to the third axis, the thirdand fourth ends extending substantially parallel to the fourth axis; acombined length of the second housing and the third and fourthelectrical terminals in a direction parallel to the third axis being atleast two times larger than a length of the second housing in adirection parallel to the fourth axis; the third electrical terminalextending outwardly from the third end of the second housing in adirection substantially parallel to the third axis, the third electricalterminal having first and second edges extending substantially parallelto the third axis, the first edge of the third electrical terminal beingdisposed closer to the first end of the second housing than the secondedge of the third electrical terminal, the first edge of the thirdelectrical terminal not being collinear with the first end of the secondhousing; a distance from the second end of the second housing to thesecond edge of the third electrical terminal is greater than a distancefrom the first end of the second housing to the first edge of the thirdelectrical terminal; the fourth electrical terminal extending outwardlyfrom the fourth end of the second housing in a direction substantiallyparallel to the third axis, the fourth electrical terminal having firstand second edges extending substantially parallel to the third axis, thesecond edge of the fourth electrical terminal being disposed closer tothe second end of the second housing than the first edge of the fourthelectrical terminal, the second edge of the fourth electrical terminalnot being collinear with the second end of the second housing; and adistance from the first end of the second housing to the first edge ofthe fourth electrical terminal is greater than a distance from thesecond end of the second housing to the second edge of the fourthelectrical terminal.
 10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein thesecond edge of the first electrical terminal of the first battery cellis disposed co-planar with the second edge of the third electricalterminal of the second battery cell, such that a first open region isformed between a plane extending through the respective second edges ofthe first and third electrical terminals and another plane extendingthrough the respective second ends of the first and second batterycells.
 11. The battery module of claim 10, wherein a portion of aninterconnect board is disposed in the first open region.
 12. The batterymodule of claim 10, wherein the first edge of the second electricalterminal of the first battery cell is disposed co-planar with the firstedge of the fourth electrical terminal of the second battery cell, suchthat a second open region is formed between a plane extending throughthe respective first edges of the second and fourth electrical terminalsand another plane extending through the respective first ends of thefirst and second battery cells.
 13. The battery cell of claim 6, whereinthe distance from the second end of the first housing to the second edgeof the first electrical terminal is at least two times greater than thedistance from the first end of the first housing to the first edge ofthe first electrical terminal.
 14. The battery cell of claim 13, whereinthe distance from the first end of the first housing to the first edgeof the second electrical terminal is at least two times greater than thedistance from the second end of the first housing to the second edge ofthe second electrical terminal.